300 TRINIDAD. 



right bank of the river, and as the full and unalienable property 

 of the inhabitants. The mission of Arima was settled and governed 

 on the same plan as all such establishments in the Spanish colonies. 

 The Indians had their own municipal government, the first and 

 second alcade being chosen from among themselves, but under 

 the control of the missionary priest. After the death of the mis- 

 sionary superintendent, at the conquest of the island, a corregidor 

 was appointed, as also a protector, to whom the Indians could 

 appeal against any arbitrary act of the corregidor. All Indians 

 capable of labour were obliged to work two days in the week, for 

 the support of the aggregate members of the community, who, in 

 general, were employed in keeping the village clean, and cultivating 

 the land in common, the proceeds being distributed to each house 

 or family equally : each head of a family had, besides, his own 

 allotment or conuco, which he cultivated for his own private benefit 

 and advantage. They were not, strictly speaking, subject to taxa- 

 tion, but were bound to assist in performing any public work 

 within the limits of the mission, when ordered by the corregidor : 

 they had also to accompany him whenever required, on wages. 

 The Indians were considered in the light of minors, and could not 

 sell or otherwise dispose of their property, which however descended 

 to their natural heirs : a very wise provision indeed, since the 

 moment they became emancipated, they sold what property they 

 had for a mere trifle. Once every 'year, they elected, with the 

 sanction of the corregidor, a king and queen to preside over their 

 festivities, and to act as their principals on solemn occasions. The 

 church of Arima was built almost entirely by the Indians. In 

 1834, when a stipendiary magistrate was appointed, the Indians 

 were brought under the common law, and the corregidorship was 

 abolished. In 1849, after the passing of the territorial ordinance, 

 the lots in the village were put up for sale at an upset price 

 a measure the legality of which is highly questionable, as far as the 

 Indians were concerned, since the lands and lots in the mission 

 had been granted to them as a compensation for property of which 

 they had been deprived. The Indians of Arima called themselves 

 Califonrnans ; but few of them are now alive, though the patriarch 

 (about one hundred years old), and his wife, are good specimens 

 of the race or tribe. The old man is short and square-built, with 

 high cheek bones, small eyes, and straight, white hair ; his wife 

 presents a similar appearance, and both are borne down by the 



